Occupation

Audio and Video Technicians

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.9 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Set up, maintain, and dismantle audio and video equipment, such as microphones, sound speakers, connecting wires and cables, sound and mixing boards, video cameras, video monitors and servers, and related electronic equipment for live or recorded events, such as concerts, meetings, conventions, presentations, podcasts, news conferences, and sporting events.

Also Known As: AV Installation Tech (Audiovisual Installation Technician), AV Production Specialist (Audio Visual Production Specialist), AV Specialist (Audiovisual Specialist), AV Tech (Audio Visual Technician), AV Tech (Audiovisual Technician), Audio Installer, Audio Technician, Audio Video Technician +25 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Notify supervisors when major equipment repairs are needed.
  2. Diagnose and resolve media system problems.
  3. Direct and coordinate activities of assistants and other personnel during production.
  4. Compress, digitize, duplicate, and store audio and video data.
  5. Install, adjust, and operate electronic equipment to record, edit, and transmit radio and television programs, motion pictures, video conferencing, or multimedia presentations.
  6. Control the lights and sound of events, such as live concerts, before and after performances, and during intermissions.
  7. Switch sources of video input from one camera or studio to another, from film to live programming, or from network to local programming.
  8. Record and edit audio material, such as movie soundtracks, using audio recording and editing equipment.
  9. Perform minor repairs and routine cleaning of audio and video equipment.
  10. Design layouts of audio and video equipment and perform upgrades and maintenance.
  11. Conduct training sessions on selection, use, and design of audio-visual materials and on operation of presentation equipment.

Supplemental Tasks (18)

  1. Monitor incoming and outgoing pictures and sound feeds to ensure quality and notify directors of any possible problems.
  2. Mix and regulate sound inputs and feeds or coordinate audio feeds with television pictures.
  3. Construct and position properties, sets, lighting equipment, and other equipment.
  4. Reserve audio-visual equipment and facilities, such as meeting rooms.
  5. Determine formats, approaches, content, levels, and mediums to effectively meet objectives within budgetary constraints, using research, knowledge, and training.
  6. Edit videotapes by erasing and removing portions of programs and adding video or sound as required.
  7. Obtain, set up, and load videotapes for scheduled productions or broadcasts.
  8. Produce rough and finished graphics and graphic designs.
  9. Locate and secure settings, properties, effects, and other production necessities.
  10. Meet with directors and senior members of camera crews to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, camera movements, and picture composition.
  11. Maintain inventories of audio and videotapes and related supplies.
  12. Obtain and preview musical performance programs prior to events to become familiar with the order and approximate times of pieces.
  13. Perform narration of productions or present announcements.
  14. Plan and develop pre-production ideas into outlines, scripts, story boards, and graphics, using own ideas or specifications of assignments.
  15. Organize and maintain compliance, license, and warranty information related to audio and video facilities.
  16. Inform users of audio and videotaping service policies and procedures.
  17. Analyze and maintain data logs for audio-visual activities.
  18. Develop manuals, texts, workbooks, or related materials for use in conjunction with production materials or for training.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Purchase audio or video equipment.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
43%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
25%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
20%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
11%
Some College Courses
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Cisco Webex
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
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  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Zoom

Software (25)

  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple iMovie
  • Blackboard software
  • Cisco IOS
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Corel Ulead DVD Workshop
  • Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
  • Web browser software
  • YouTube

Tools & Equipment (42)

  • Assistive amplification systems
  • Audio presentation systems
  • Audioconferencing systems
  • Audiovisual A/V mixers
  • Cassette players
  • Claw hammers
  • Compact disk CD burners or players
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital audio recorders
  • Digital camcorders
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Digital video cameras
  • Digital video disk DVD players
  • Digital voltmeters DVM
  • Integrated speaker systems
  • Interactive whiteboards
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser pointers
  • Light boards
  • Liquid crystal display LCD projection systems
  • Loudspeaker sets
  • Man lifts
  • Master control switchers
  • Microphone mixers
  • Motion picture projectors
  • Noise meters
  • Overhead display projectors
  • Personal computers
  • Plasma televisions
  • Portable speaker systems
  • Power drills
  • Projection screens
  • Screwdrivers
  • Slide projectors
  • Soldering irons
  • Sound boards
  • Step ladders
  • Television monitors
  • Videoconferencing equipment
  • Videotape duplicating equipment
  • Wired microphones
  • Wireless microphones

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Lighting & Sound Technology Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
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